Supporting apparatus



May 14, 1935. w. l.. sTENsGAARD 2,001,222

SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet l May 14, 1935 w. l.. STENSGAARD SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1933 7 sheets-sheet 2 May 14, 1935. w 1 STENSGAARD 2,001,222

SUPPORT ING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q/ Q /g /0 May 14, 1935- w. l.. STENSGAARD SUPPORTING APPARATUS 7 sheets-sheet 4 Filed May 17, 1933 5X' Off darai May 14, 1935. w, 1 STENSGAARD 2,001,222

` SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1935 7 SheetS-She 5 xv /V y W 6%; 5%

E n Ji lL iL1 HL QlI [55 65 62 55 /0 775W E@ f5 May 14, 1935.

w. L. sTENsGAARD 2,001,222

SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1955 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 14, 1935 w. L. STENSGAARD 2,001,222

SUPPORTING APPARATUS lygff@ Patented May 14, 1935 PATET. ,orp'ggf SUPPORTING APPRATUS William L. Stensgaard, Chicago, Ill. Applicationk May 17, 1933, Serial No. 671,561

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in display and supporting apparatus and, more especially, to such apparatus designed for supporting panels, wall sections, screens, sheet material, and

5 the like, and displaying merchandise, letters, ad-

vertising matter, and the like, thereon.

My invention is particularly suitable, for example,` for supporting displays in show windows, stores, and the like. Such displays may comprise flat or curved panels suitably joined together and supported with my improved apparatus, such panels adapted for the display of advertising matter, letters and merchandise itself supported on said panels, also, by the use of my improved apparatus. i

Although my improved apparatus is particularly adapted for advertising and display pur.- poses, it is to be understood that-'it is capable of innumerable other uses. it is desirable to support'panels, wall sections, and the like, or attach the same together, or .mount letters, merchandise or other articles on the face thereof, my improved apparatus canbe used to advantage.

In the exemplication of my invention contained in this specication'and claims, with the accompanying drawings, I have shown the employment of panels, each made of a suitable frame supporting .thereon suitable sheet material. 30 It is to be understood, however, that my invention is not to be limited by such showing. My improved apparatus may be employed with any kind of panel, wall section, or piece of sheet material.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specication. In those forms of devices embodying the features of my invention shown in th accompanying drawings'- Figure l is a view in front elevation; Fig. 2 is a top plan View; Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 1-; Fig. 4 is a view taken as indicated by the line l of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view taken as indicated by the line 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicated by the 'line 6of Fig. 3; Fig. '7 is a perspective View of one of Ythe connecting units; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the sockets; Fig. 9 is 'a view taken as indicated by the line 9 of Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a view in'perspective of a connecting unit; Fig. 11 is a view taken' as indicated by the line II of Fig. 1; Fig.' 12 is a View inperspective of a connecting unit; Fig. 13 is a view taken as indicated by the line `I3 of- Fig. 1; Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of a connecting unit; Fig. l5 is a View taken-as In any case where indicated by the line I5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 16 is a view taken as indicated by the line I6 of Fig. 1; Fig.A 1'7 is a View in perspective of a connecting unit; Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 3 kshowing a modication; Fig. 19 is a view taken as indicated by the line I9 of Fig. l; Fig. 20 is a. viewin perspective showing a supporting bar; Fig. 21 is a view taken as indicated-by the line 2| of Fig.- 19; v(Fig. 22 is a view taken as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 21; Fig. 23 is a View taken kas indicatedby the line 23 of Fig. 1;Fig. 24 is a view in` perspective of` a supporting-bar; Fig. 25 is a View taken as indicated by the line 25 of Fig. 1; Fig. 26 is a view in perspective of a supporting bar; Fig. 27 is a view inperspective of ka supporting bar of a different form; Fig.l 28 is a view infront elevation of a modified form; Fig. 29 is a view in front elevation ofV an arrangement of panels for display purposes; Fig. 30 is a viewtaken as indi-vv cated by the line-30 of Fig. 29;v Fig. 31 is a view `taken as indicated by the line 3| ofA Fig. 29; Fig. 32 is a view in perspective of another arrangement of panels for display purposes; Vand Fig. 33 is a top plan view of the panels shown in Fig. 32. As shown in the drawings, a plurality` of panels may be joined `together and supported. In Figs; 1 and 2, I haveillustrated eight panels thus connected together. l These panels, for convenience, I have designated lA, B, C, D, E, F, G and I-I. The particular way in which each of these panels itself is made forms no part of the present invention. For convenience, I have here .considered each panel as comprising a suitable woo-'den frame covered with suitable sheet material, for example, Wall-board or the like. example, to Fig. 3 'Willshow thatieach ci the panels A includes the wooden frame -members I0, I0, to which is fastened thev wall-board -I I,-I I. The panel B is shown as curved. y Itis to be understood-that the panelsmay be of any desired size, shape, or proportions, and may be llat, angular, bent, or curved, as desired.

Among the. features of my invention is the pro- Vision of means for joiningpanels together so that they can be supported, for example, on edge, as shown. in the drawings. In Figs. 3 to 8, inclusive, I have shown the means for joining together the panels A and B. 'Since'.the ymeans for joining together diierent panels is very similar in all cases,v it will be necessaryv to describe but one in detail. ToI the edge' face'of each panel I attach a tapered socket member I2.A One of these socket Vmembers is shown in perspective in Fig. 8.- For the purpose of joining together the panels, I provide a connecting-mem- Reference, for

nected by the connecting web I3b. It is to bel understood that there are preferably two or more connecting units I3 to fasten together each pair of panels. For example, there should be such a connecting unit nearthe top and near the bottom, with possibly additional ones between- The.

socket members I2 may be fastened to the panels A and B, for example, with wood screws I4. The method of attaching the panels ,Bl and C is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Herel the edges of the panels B and C are equipped-with socket members I2, shown in Fig. 8, but the connecting unit is to be somewhat differentbecause these panels B and C meet at right angles. vThe connecting unit, as indicated by I5, is shown in Fig. 10. VThis unit includes, the-angularly arranged opposed tonguespIS, I5a joinedv together by the web |511. The tongues I5a, I5ab seat in the sockets I2, I2` to connect the panels B and C, as shown in Fig. 9.

The connection of the panels C and D is shown in'Figs. 11 and 12. Here the edges of the panels C- and D carry socketsV I2, .as shown in Fig. 8.

`The connecting unit is shown in Fig. 12. This includes the angularly arranged opposed tapered tongues I1a connected by the web I1, the entireconnecting unit Vbeing indicated by I1. The unit is shown in place in Figi 11. f

Figs. 13 and 14 show the connection between the'panels' E and F. Here'` the edges of these panels also have socket members 12. The-connecting unit I8 is shown in'perspectivein Fig. 14;

and the same includes theangularly arranged opposed `tapered tongues 1821,18@ connected by the web IBPL -The unit is shown vin place' in Fig.13. Figs. 15 and 1'1 show'the means for` connecting three panels together, for example, the panels F, G and H. Herefthe edge of each of these panels is provided with one or more socket members I2, as shown in" Fig. 8. The connecting unit, indicated in general by I9!,-is shown in Fig. 17. This includes three tapered tongues ISR, I9a connected together at their upperextremities by the flat horizontal plate |91. In Fig. 15 the connecting unit is shown in place holding the panels together. y y

It will be noted that when the panels are fastened or connectedtogether vby connecting pilastersv fromV the connecting members. Such' a Y pilaster'between the panels A and B is indicated by 20., A`This includesa lo-ngflat strip Vwith its vertical edges 2tlg, 20e' bent inwardly somewhat so that they will engageV the faces of the panels A and B when the pilaster is in place. I 'provide the following means for holding the pilaster in position.' Each web |31? of a connecting unit I3 is provided with a threaded hole,V I3Cfadapted to receiveV a bolt 2l witha head Zia. lThe pilaster 20is provided. with spring clips 22 adapted to snap Iover theheads 2IEL of the screws 2I. .Th is construction is shown lparticularly in Figs. 3 and 4. v

In Fig. 9, the Vpilaster 23between the panels B and C is illustrated. This pilaster likewise is held in position by spring clips or jaws 24 engaging the heads 25 of screws 26 threaded into the webs I5b of the connecting units I5.

Likewise, the pilaster 21 between the panels C and D is held in position by spring clips 28 engaging the heads 29 of screws 30 threaded into the web member I1b of the connecting unit I1.

' Likewise, the pilaster 3| between the panels E and F is held in position by spring clips 32 engaging the heads 33 of screws 34 threaded into the web members I8b of the connecting'units I8. In Fig. 15 I have illustrated the pilasters 35 and 3B` between the panelsV F, G and G, H, re-

'f spectively. For the purpose of supporting these pilasters, the connecting unit I9 is provided with upturned lugs or ears I9c provided with threaded holes I9d to receive the screws 31, 31. The pilasters 35 and 35 are provided with spring clips 38 adapted to be snapped over the heads 318L of the screws 31.

In Fig. 15 I have also shown means for attaching a pilaster to an exposed' endof a panel. For example, the'exposed edge or end of the panel G may carry a pilaster 40. This pilaster has its edges 4I]a bent backwardly and the extreme marginsthereof 40h. bent inwardly'to engage the faces of the panelG. The pilasteris heldin position by providing it with springclips 4I adapted-to be snapped over the heads42 of screws43 engaged in the edge of the panel, for example, thesel screws may be screwed into the wood frame member I0 of the panel itself. Since both faces of this panel are exposed, it is preferably provided on each side with a sheet of wallboard or similar material I I.

In Fig. 18 I have shown means for applying two pilasters over the space between panels', one pilasterv being on eachiside of the panels.v This construction'resembles that shown in Fig. 3. It may be assumed, fOrfeXample, that the panels Afl and B" are similar to the panels A and B, Vand that they are joined by aconnecting member resembling that shown in Fig. '1.' I I3b may indicate.

the web vof .this connecting unit.A Here this web is threaded to receive a screw 44. The pilaster 45 on one side isip'rovidedwlth a spring clip 46 snapped over the head 44a` of this screw. The inner end of the screw carries a coupling 41 which receives another screw 48. The pilaster-49 on the other side is provided with a'spring clip 50 snapped over the head 48a of vthis other screw. The upper end of the pilaster 4U shown in Fig. 15 is preferably bent inwardly, as indicated in Fig. 16 by 40, vto engage theA front edge of the panel G, the upper portion of which is curved backwardly, as indicated by G. Y

A pilaster 5I may also be applied to the free edgeofthe panel A (seeFig. 19) in the samev manner that the pilaster 481s applied to the fre edge of the panel G (see Fig. 15). Means are also provided for mounting horizontal bars in vfront'of andadjacent the face of a panel.v These bars maybe employed for supporting letters, goods or advertising matter. For the purpose of supporting these'bars, I provide vertical strips V53 'on theend faces of the panels, said strips being provided with horizontal slots 54, 54. These strips are illustrated in Figs; 4, 20, 26, and in other figures. Various kinds of-bars may be supported from the strips-53. For example, in Figs. 19 and 20 I'haveV illustrated the channel bar 55 supported at one end. This support is accomplished by providing the left end of the bar with a right angle-.bracket 56, saidA bracket being'provided witha lower inwardly extending tongue 51 and an .upperin- A im wardly extended hooked tongue 58. The two tongues 51 and 58 are adapted to be engaged in two of the slots 54 in the strip 53 to support the bar 55. In Fig. 19 they are shown thus engaged. The bar 55 may be employed to support suitable lettering, advertising matter or even Inerchandise. In Fig. 20 I have suggested the use of letters, such as the letter U, indicated by 59 on the drawings. This letter is provided with a clip 60 at the bottom adapted to engage the upper iiange of the channel 55. The engagement may be effected by springing the free end of the bar 55 a slight distance away from the face of the panel A. If desired, a flat strip 6l may be employed, as shown in Fig. 24, instead of a channel bar 55. In Figs. 25 and 26 I have shown a channel bar 62 supported at each end. For this purpose, each end of the bar is provided with a right angle bracket 63 having upper and lower inwardly extending tongues 64 adapted to be sprung into the slots 54 of the strips 53 on opposed edges of the panel A. The bar 62 may also carry letters as shown in Fig. 26. For example, the letter, as indicated by 65, may have a clip 66 on the bottom to mount it on the bar 62. The letter F, indicated by 61, is shown mounted.

Since the bar 62 is supported at each end, it is provided with an opening 68 near one end to permit insertion of the hook 65 on the letters. The letters may then be slid horizontally to the desired position on thebar. In Fig. 27, I have shown a bar SS made of a flat strip. Otherwise this bar is similar to the bar 62. Merchandise may be supported over the bar 69; or signs may be suspended therefrom in any suitable manner.

In Fig. 28 I have shown a bar such as disclosed in Fig. 24 for supporting one end of a shelf. This bar is provided with an offset so that it will extend vertically from the panel instead of lying in front of it. Such a bar is indicated by 1U and the same supports one end of a shelf 80, the latter being provided with a cle-at 3| to prevent sidewise displacement of the bar and the bar being provided at its end with an upturned lug 1liab to prevent the shelf from slipping off of the bar. It is to be understood that a similar bar may be utilized to support the other end of the shelf (not shown).` In this manner, a shelf 86 may be supported in front of a panel and used for the display of goods, merchandise and the like.

In Figs. 29, 30 and 31 I have shown means for displaying goods in a very effective manner. Such means includes the joining of a curved panel M to two adjacent panels N and O. This curved panel may be joined in the same manner that the panels D and E are joined together. The panel M is provided with a window 1I. Behind this window and below it there is provided a shelf 12 with a curved back panel 13. Merchandise, as indicated by 14, may be displayed on a shelf supported on the shelf 12.

If desired, an effective display may be arranged, as shown in Figs. 32 and 33, by fastening together the panels P, Q, R, S and T, as shown. This provides a recess in which goods may be displayed. If desired, connecting members 16 and 11 may be employed at the top and bottom of the panels, as shown in Fig. 32.

When a horizontal supporting bar is employed, the margin of the pilaster may be sprung out slightly to accommodate said bar or its bracket'.

For example, as shown in Fig. 19, the edge of the pilaster 5| is sprung out slightly to permitinsertion of the bracket 56 thereunder. y

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be'understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in theconstruction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire `to secure by Letters Patent, is: v

1. A connecting unit for connecting the adjacent edges of three panels, including `a horizontal plate carrying three depending tapered tongues, said plate being provided with upwardly turned lugs between said tongues, said lugs being provided with threaded holes adapted to receive screws. y

2. In combination with a plurality of panels, socket-members on the edges of said panels, connecting units provided with angularly arranged tapered tongues adapted to be seated in said socket-members, said connecting units 'joining adjacent panels together and holding the same spaced apart when said tongues are seated in saidv socket-members, and a pilaster adapted to cover the space between adjacentpanelsl when connected by the connecting units, with means engagingscrews threaded in the connecting units for holding the pilaster in position.

3. In combination with a plurality of panels, socket-members on the edges of said panels, connecting units provided with angularly arranged opposed tapered tongues adapted to be seated in said socket-members, said connecting units joining adjacent panels together and holding the same spaced apart when said tongues are seated in said socket-members, and a pilaster adapted to cover the space between adjacent panels when connected by the connecting units, with means engaging screws threaded in the connecting units and holding the pilaster in position.

4.7In combination with two panels, lying substantiaily in the same plane with their edges substantially facing each otherand spaced apart; socket-members on said edges with opposed sockets; and a connecting unit, including a webmember and opposed tapered tongues rigidly mounted on the endsof said web-member and angularly disposed withV relation thereto, said tongues adapted `to iit in said sockets and hold said panels against relative angular swinging movement.

5. In combination with two panels lying substantially in the same plane with their edges substantially facing each other and spaced apart; a pair of socket members each having a-transversely arranged flat tapered socket; and a connecting unit including a vertical Web-member and trans versely arranged tapered tongues rigidly mounted on said web, said tongues adapted to be seated in said sockets.

WILLIAM L. STENSGAARD. 

